System and method for managing a power mode of a designated electronic device

ABSTRACT

A system and method for managing a power mode of a designated electronic device are provided. A geographical location of a mobile electronic device is determined. A comparison of the determined geographical location of the mobile electronic device and a stored location of a designated electronic device in a power-off mode is made. A wake-up signal is sent to the designated electronic device if the determined geographical location of the mobile electronic device is within a proximity threshold of the designated electronic device, where the designated electronic device is configured to enter a power-on mode upon receipt of the wake-up signal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C.§120 as a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/631,703entitled “System and Method for Managing a Power Mode of a DesignatedElectronic Device” filed on Sep. 28, 2012, the disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

The subject technology generally relates to managing a power mode of anelectronic device, and in particular, relates to managing a power modeof an electronic device based on a proximity to a mobile electronicdevice.

An electronic device in an off-power mode can take a long time to powerup. Time cost associated with powering up the electronic device resultsin a loss of work productivity. However, maintaining the electronicdevice in an on-power mode is not energy efficient.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the subject technology, acomputer-implemented method for managing a power mode of a designatedelectronic device is provided. The method comprises determining ageographical location of a mobile electronic device. The method furthercomprises comparing the determined geographical location of the mobileelectronic device with a stored location of a designated electronicdevice in a power-off mode. The method further comprises sending awake-up signal to the designated electronic device if the determinedgeographical location of the mobile electronic device is within aproximity threshold of the designated electronic device, wherein thedesignated electronic device is configured to enter a power-on mode uponreceipt of the wake-up signal.

According to another aspect of the subject technology, a system formanaging a power mode of a designated electronic device is provided. Thesystem comprises one or more processors, and a machine-readable mediumcomprising instructions stored therein, which when executed by theprocessors, cause the processors to perform operations comprisingdetermining a geographical location of a mobile electronic device,wherein the geographical location of the mobile electronic device isobtained from signals transmitted from a satellite navigation systemcomponent of the mobile electronic device. The operations furthercomprise comparing the determined geographical location of the mobileelectronic device with a stored location of a designated electronicdevice in a power-off mode. The operations further comprise sending awake-up signal to the designated electronic device if the determinedgeographical location of the mobile electronic device is within aproximity threshold of the designated electronic device, wherein thedesignated electronic device is configured to enter a power-on mode uponreceipt of the wake-up signal.

According to another aspect of the subject technology, a machinereadable medium for managing a power mode of a designated electronicdevice is provided. The machine readable medium comprising instructionsstored therein, which when executed by a system, cause the system toperform operations comprising determining a geographical location of asmartphone device, wherein the geographical location of the mobileelectronic device is obtained from signals transmitted from a satellitenavigation system component of the mobile electronic device. Theoperations further comprise comparing the determined geographicallocation of the smartphone device with a stored location of a desktopcomputer in a power-off mode. The operations further comprise sending awake-up signal to the desktop computer if the determined geographicallocation of the smartphone device is within a proximity threshold of thedesktop computer, wherein the desktop computer is configured to enter apower-on mode upon receipt of the wake-up signal.

Additional features and advantages of the subject technology will be setforth in the description below, and in part will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the subject technology.The advantages of the subject technology will be realized and attainedby the structure particularly pointed out in the written description andclaims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and areintended to provide further explanation of the subject technology asclaimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide furtherunderstanding of the subject technology and are incorporated in andconstitute a part of this specification, illustrate aspects of thesubject technology and together with the description serve to explainthe principles of the subject technology. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example distributed network environment formanaging a power mode of a designated electronic device.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example process for managing a power mode of adesignated electronic device.

FIG. 3 provides an example illustration for sending a wake-up signalfrom a mobile electronic device to a designated electronic device whenthe mobile electronic device is within a proximity threshold of thedesignated electronic device.

FIG. 4 conceptually illustrates an electronic system with which someimplementations of the subject technology are implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description ofvarious configurations of the subject technology and is not intended torepresent the only configurations in which the subject technology may bepracticed. It will be apparent, however, that the subject technology isnot limited to the specific details set forth herein and may bepracticed without these specific details. In some instances, structuresand components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoidobscuring the concepts of the subject technology.

In accordance with the subject disclosure, a system and a method formanaging a power mode of a designated electronic device are provided. Adesignated electronic device may include any electronic device thatincludes a hardware component (e.g., a network card) that can receive asignal indicating a request to turn on the designated electronic devicewhile the electronic device is in off-power mode. The mobile electronicdevice and the designated electronic device may be set up to recognizeeach other during an initial setup phase. The geographical location ofthe designated electronic device is provided to the mobile electronicdevice. The mobile electronic device periodically determines itsgeographical location and compares its determined geographical locationwith the stored location of the designated electronic device todetermine the proximity of the mobile device with respect to thedesignated electronic device. The mobile electronic device sends awake-up signal to the designated electronic device if the determinedgeographical location of the mobile electronic device is within aproximity threshold of the designated electronic device. A communicationprotocol (e.g., WiFi, Bluetooth, etc.) that is supported by both themobile electronic device and the designated electronic device may beused to transmit the wake-up signal.

According to one example, the mobile electronic device may continue toperiodically determine its geographical location and compares itsdetermined geographical location with the stored location of thedesignated electronic device even after it stops sending the wake-upsignal to the designated electronic device. However, the mobileelectronic device resets as soon as it leaves the proximity range, andwill resend the wake-up signal to the designated electronic device whenthe mobile electronic device reenters the proximity range.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example network environment for managing a powermode of a designated electronic device. Network environment 100 includeselectronic devices 102 and 104, and geolocation systems 106 and 108.Geolocation systems include a system or group of systems that broadcastsignals that allow mobile electronic device 102 to determine itsgeographical location. In the example of FIG. 1, geolocation system 106is depicted as a satellite navigation system, and geolocation system 108is depicted as base stations.

Mobile electronic device 102 may include any electronic device withhardware and software components to determine its geographical location.In the example of FIG. 1, mobile electronic device 102 is depicted as asmartphone device. Additional examples of mobile electronic deviceincludes tablet computers, laptop computers, PDAs, etc. Designatedelectronic device 104 may include any electronic device that includes ahardware component (e.g., a network card) that can receive a signalwhile the electronic device is in off-power mode. For example, thedesignated electronic device may contain a network card that remainsenabled to receive signals while the designated electronic device is inoff-power mode. Designated electronic device 104 is also configured toenter a power-on mode upon receipt of a wake-up signal. In the exampleof FIG. 1, designated electronic device 104 is depicted as a desktopcomputer. Additional examples of designated electronic device 104includes laptop computers, work stations, etc.

Satellite navigation system 106 include multiple satellites thatbroadcast signals to mobile electronic device. Example Satellitenavigation systems include the Global Positioning System (GPS), GalileoSystem, Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), Compass NavigationSystem (Compass), etc. In one example, mobile electronic device 102determines its distance to one or more satellites of satellitenavigation system 106. Mobile electronic device 102 then determines itsgeographical location based on the determined distances between mobileelectronic device 102 and the one or more satellites of satellitenavigation system 106.

Base stations 108 may be a single cell site or a network of cell sitesthat communicate with mobile electronic device 102. Base stations 108may include communication devices (e.g., antennas, transceivers, etc.)for different communication protocols (e.g., WiMax, WiFi, CDMA, etc.).Mobile electronic device 102 may determine its distance to one or morebase stations 108 and determine its geographical location based on thedetermined distances between mobile electronic device 102 and the one ormore base stations 108.

Mobile electronic device 102 may communicate with geolocation system 106and/or base stations 108 to establish the mobile electronic device'sgeographical location. Mobile electronic device 102 compares thedetermined geographical location of the mobile electronic device with astored location of a designated electronic device in a power-off mode.In one example, mobile electronic device 102 may receive thegeographical location of designated electronic device 104 via a userinput and store the geographical location of designated electronicdevice 104 as the stored location.

Mobile electronic device 102 sends a wake-up signal to the designatedelectronic device if the determined geographical location of the mobileelectronic device is within a proximity threshold of designatedelectronic device 104. Designated electronic device 104, upon receipt ofthe wake-up signal, enters into a power-on mode. The proximity thresholdmay be preselected or may be user designated. The comparison of thedistance between mobile electronic device 102 and designated electronicdevice 104 may be done periodically, or may be done each time the mobileelectronic device's geographical location is updated.

Upon determining that mobile electronic device 102 is within proximityof designated electronic device 104, mobile electronic device 102 mayuse a communication protocol that is supported by mobile electronicdevice 102 and designated electronic device 104 to transmit the wake-upsignal to designated electronic device 104. Examples of a communicationprotocol include Bluetooth, WiFi, Near Field Communication (NFC),Ethernet, etc.

Mobile electronic device 102 may repeatedly send the wake-up signal todesignated electronic device 104 for a designated period of time toensure that designated electronic device 104 has received the wake-upsignal. The electronic device may designate additional prerequisiteconditions for sending the wake-up signal to the designated electronicdevice. In this case, the wake-up signal is sent to designatedelectronic device 104 if mobile electronic device 102 is within aproximity of designated electronic device 104 and if prerequisites forsending the wake-up signal are met.

Mobile electronic device 102 may periodically update its geographicallocation and calculate its proximity to designated electronic device 104after mobile electronic device 102 has transmitted the wake-up signal todesignated electronic device 104. Mobile electronic device maysubsequently enter into a reset mode after transmitting the wake-upsignal to designated electronic device 104 if the distance between itsmost recently determined geographical location and the stored locationof designated electronic device 104 exceeds the proximity threshold. IfMobile electronic device 102, subsequent to entering reset mode,determines that it is within the proximity threshold of the designatedelectronic device, it sends another wake-up signal to designatedelectronic device 104.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example process for managing a power mode of adesignated electronic device. Although the operations in process 200 areshown in a particular order, certain operations may be performed indifferent orders or at the same time.

Mobile electronic device (e.g., smartphone device, tablet computer,laptop computer, PDA, etc.) determines its geographical location inblock S202. Mobile electronic device 102 also obtains a geographicallocation of a designated electronic device 104 (e.g., desktop computer,server computer, etc.). In one example, mobile electronic device 102receives a user input of the geographical location of designatedelectronic device 104 and stores the received geographical location ofdesignated electronic device 104 as the stored location. In anotherexample, mobile electronic device 102 receives a data packet fromdesignated electronic device 104 that includes the geographical locationof designated electronic device 104 during a setup phase and stores thereceived geographical location of designated electronic device 104 asthe stored location.

In block S204, mobile electronic device 102 calculates its distance todesignated electronic device 104 (e.g., desktop computer, servercomputer, etc.). In block S206, if designated electronic device 104 isnot within proximity of mobile electronic device 102, the processreturns to block S202 where mobile electronic device 102 repeats theprocess of determining its geographical location. Alternatively, ifdesignated electronic device 104 is within proximity of mobileelectronic device 102, the process proceeds to block S208.

In block S208, mobile electronic device 102 sends a signal to designatedelectronic device 104 to power up the designated electronic device.Mobile electronic device 102 may repeatedly send the wake-up signal todesignated electronic device 104 for a designated period of time. Thewake-up signal can be transmitted by communication protocols (e.g.,Bluetooth, WiFi, etc.) that are supported by both the mobile electronicdevice and the designated electronic device.

Mobile electronic device 102 may designate one or more additionalprerequisite conditions which are required to be fulfilled in order tosend the wake-up signal. The one or more additional prerequisiteconditions may be predetermined or user designated. One examplecondition includes specifying a period of time (e.g., certain hoursduring a day, certain days in a week, certain days in a month, certainhours during certain days, etc.) during which sending the wake-up signalto the designated electronic device is permitted. Under such condition,mobile electronic device 102 would only send a wake-up signal todesignated electronic device 104 during the designated hours and whenboth electronic devices are within proximity of each other.

Mobile electronic device 102 determines geographical location of mobileelectronic device 102 in block S210. In block S212, mobile electronicdevice 102 calculates its proximity to designated electronic device 104.In block S214, mobile electronic device 102 determines if it is notwithin proximity of designated electronic device 104. If the distancebetween mobile electronic device 102 and designated electronic device104 remains within the threshold value, the process returns to blockS210 where the process described in blocks S210, S212, and S214 isrepeated. A timing delay may be in included to prevent mobile electronicdevice 102 from constantly cycling through blocks S210, S212 and S214.Alternatively, if the distance between mobile electronic device 102 anddesignated electronic device 104 exceeds the threshold value, thenmobile electronic device 102 enters into a reset mode and the processreturns to block S202.

FIG. 3 provides an example illustration for sending a wake-up signalfrom a mobile electronic device to a designated electronic device whenthe mobile electronic device is within a proximity threshold of thedesignated electronic device. The dotted circle as shown in FIG. 3represents a threshold proximity of designated electronic device 304.Mobile electronic devices are represented as a smartphone device 302,and a tablet computer 306. A designated electronic device is representedas a desktop computer 304. Smartphone device 302 and tablet computer 306both contain the geographical location of desktop computer 304. In oneexample, desktop computer provides smartphone 302 with the desktopcomputer's geographical location when the respective electronic devices302 and 304 were set up to recognize each other. In another example,tablet computer 306 stores a user-designated location of desktopcomputer 304.

Smartphone device 302 and tablet computer 306 both include hardware andsoftware that provides the respective mobile electronic devices withtheir geographical location. As shown in FIG. 3, smartphone device 302obtains its geographical location based on signals transmitted fromsatellite navigation system 106. As shown in FIG. 3, tablet computer 306obtains its geographical location from signals transmitted from basestations 108. Smartphone device 302 and tablet computer 306 periodicallycalculates distance between their respective geographical locations andthe location of desktop computer 304 to determine their respectiveproximity with respect to desktop computer 304.

Smartphone device 302, upon entering a proximity of desktop computer304, transmits a wake-up signal to desktop computer 304 directly (e.g.,via Bluetooth). Similarly, tablet computer 306, upon entering proximityof desktop computer 304, transmits a wake-up signal to desktop computer304 via a networking device 307 (e.g., a router). Desktop computer 304includes a hardware component (e.g., a network card) that can receivethe wake-up signal even when the device is in an off-power mode. Uponreceipt of the wake-up signal, the hardware component initiates apowering up desktop computer 304.

Many of the above-described features and applications are implemented assoftware processes that are specified as a set of instructions recordedon a computer readable storage medium (also referred to as computerreadable medium). When these instructions are executed by one or moreprocessing unit(s) (e.g., one or more processors, cores of processors,or other processing units), they cause the processing unit(s) to performthe actions indicated in the instructions. Examples of computer readablemedia include, but are not limited to, CD-ROMs, flash drives, RAM chips,hard drives, EPROMs, etc. The computer readable media does not includecarrier waves and electronic signals passing wirelessly or over wiredconnections.

In this specification, the term “software” is meant to include firmwareresiding in read-only memory or applications stored in magnetic storage,which can be read into memory for processing by a processor. Also, insome implementations, multiple software aspects of the subjectdisclosure can be implemented as sub-parts of a larger program whileremaining distinct software aspects of the subject disclosure. In someimplementations, multiple software aspects can also be implemented asseparate programs. Finally, any combination of separate programs thattogether implement a software aspect described here is within the scopeof the subject disclosure. In some implementations, the softwareprograms, when installed to operate on one or more electronic systems,define one or more specific machine implementations that execute andperform the operations of the software programs.

A computer program (also known as a program, software, softwareapplication, script, or code) can be written in any form of programminglanguage, including compiled or interpreted languages, declarative orprocedural languages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as astand alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, object, orother unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computerprogram may, but need not, correspond to a file in a file system. Aprogram can be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programsor data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markup languagedocument), in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or inmultiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store one or more modules,sub programs, or portions of code). A computer program can be deployedto be executed on one computer or on multiple computers that are locatedat one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by acommunication network.

FIG. 4 conceptually illustrates an electronic system with which someimplementations of the subject technology are implemented. In certainaspects, the computer system 400 may be implemented using hardware or acombination of software and hardware, either in an electronic device102, 104, or integrated into another entity, or distributed acrossmultiple entities.

Computer system 400 (e.g., electronic device 102, 104, and access point108) includes a bus 408 or other communication mechanism forcommunicating information, and a processor 402 coupled with bus 408 forprocessing information. By way of example, the computer system 400 maybe implemented with one or more processors 402. Processor 402 may be ageneral-purpose microprocessor, a microcontroller, a Digital SignalProcessor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), aField Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), a Programmable Logic Device (PLD),a controller, a state machine, gated logic, discrete hardwarecomponents, or any other suitable entity that can perform calculationsor other manipulations of information.

Computer system 400 can include, in addition to hardware, code thatcreates an execution environment for the computer program in question,e.g., code that constitutes processor firmware, a protocol stack, adatabase management system, an operating system, or a combination of oneor more of them stored in an included memory 404, such as a RandomAccess Memory (RAM), a flash memory, a Read Only Memory (ROM), aProgrammable Read-Only Memory (PROM), an Erasable PROM (EPROM),registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD, or any othersuitable storage device, coupled to bus 408 for storing information andinstructions to be executed by processor 402. The processor 402 and thememory 404 can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special purposelogic circuitry.

The instructions may be stored in the memory 404 and implemented in oneor more computer program products, i.e., one or more modules of computerprogram instructions encoded on a computer readable medium for executionby, or to control the operation of, the computer system 400, andaccording to any method well known to those of skill in the art,including, but not limited to, computer languages such as data-orientedlanguages (e.g., SQL, dBase), system languages (e.g., C, Objective-C,C++, Assembly), architectural languages (e.g., Java, .NET), andapplication languages (e.g., PHP, Ruby, Perl, Python). Instructions mayalso be implemented in computer languages such as array languages,aspect-oriented languages, assembly languages, authoring languages,command line interface languages, compiled languages, concurrentlanguages, curly-bracket languages, dataflow languages, data-structuredlanguages, declarative languages, esoteric languages, extensionlanguages, fourth-generation languages, functional languages,interactive mode languages, interpreted languages, iterative languages,list-based languages, little languages, logic-based languages, machinelanguages, macro languages, metaprogramming languages, multiparadigmlanguages, numerical analysis, non-English-based languages,object-oriented class-based languages, object-oriented prototype-basedlanguages, off-side rule languages, procedural languages, reflectivelanguages, rule-based languages, scripting languages, stack-basedlanguages, synchronous languages, syntax handling languages, visuallanguages, with languages, and xml-based languages. Memory 404 may alsobe used for storing temporary variable or other intermediate informationduring execution of instructions to be executed by processor 402.

A computer program as discussed herein does not necessarily correspondto a file in a file system. A program can be stored in a portion of afile that holds other programs or data (e.g., one or more scripts storedin a markup language document), in a single file dedicated to theprogram in question, or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files thatstore one or more modules, subprograms, or portions of code). A computerprogram can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiplecomputers that are located at one site or distributed across multiplesites and interconnected by a communication network. The processes andlogic flows described in this specification can be performed by one ormore programmable processors executing one or more computer programs toperform functions by operating on input data and generating output.

Computer system 400 further includes a data storage device 406 such as amagnetic disk or optical disk, coupled to bus 408 for storinginformation and instructions. Computer system 400 may be coupled viainput/output module 410 to various devices. The input/output module 410can be any input/output module. Exemplary input/output modules 410include data ports such as USB ports. The input/output module 410 isconfigured to connect to a communications module 412. Exemplarycommunications modules 412 include networking interface cards, such asEthernet cards and modems. In certain aspects, the input/output module410 is configured to connect to a plurality of devices, such as an inputdevice 414 and/or an output device 416. Exemplary input devices 414include a keyboard and a pointing device, e.g., a mouse or a trackball,by which a user can provide input to the computer system 400. Otherkinds of input devices 414 can be used to provide for interaction with auser as well, such as a tactile input device, visual input device, audioinput device, or brain-computer interface device. For example, feedbackprovided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, e.g., visualfeedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from theuser can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, tactile,or brain wave input. Exemplary output devices 416 include displaydevices, such as a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystaldisplay) monitor, for displaying information to the user.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the electronic device102, 104, and access point 106 can be implemented using a computersystem 400 in response to processor 402 executing one or more sequencesof one or more instructions contained in memory 404. Such instructionsmay be read into memory 404 from another machine-readable medium, suchas data storage device 406. Execution of the sequences of instructionscontained in main memory 404 causes processor 402 to perform the processsteps described herein. One or more processors in a multi-processingarrangement may also be employed to execute the sequences ofinstructions contained in memory 404. In alternative aspects, hard-wiredcircuitry may be used in place of or in combination with softwareinstructions to implement various aspects of the present disclosure.Thus, aspects of the present disclosure are not limited to any specificcombination of hardware circuitry and software.

Various aspects of the subject matter described in this specificationcan be implemented in a computing system that includes a back endcomponent, e.g., as a data server, or that includes a middlewarecomponent, e.g., an application server, or that includes a front endcomponent, e.g., a computer device having a graphical user interface ora Web browser through which a user can interact with an implementationof the subject matter described in this specification, or anycombination of one or more such back end, middleware, or front endcomponents. The components of the system can be interconnected by anyform or medium of digital data communication, e.g., a communicationnetwork. The communication network can include, for example, any one ormore of a personal area network (PAN), a local area network (LAN), acampus area network (CAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a widearea network (WAN), a broadband network (BBN), the Internet, and thelike. Further, the communication network can include, but is not limitedto, for example, any one or more of the following network topologies,including a bus network, a star network, a ring network, a mesh network,a star-bus network, tree or hierarchical network, or the like. Thecommunications modules can be, for example, modems or Ethernet cards.

Computing system 400 can include electronic devices 102, and 104, andaccess points 106. An electronic device 102, 104 and access point 106are generally remote from each other. The relationship of the electronicdevice 102, 104, and access point 106 arises by virtue of computerprograms running on the respective computers and having an electronicdevice-electronic device or electronic device-access point relationshipto each other. Computer system 400 can be, for example, and withoutlimitation, a touchscreen device, a desktop computer, laptop computer,or tablet computer. Computer system 400 can also be embedded in anotherdevice, for example, and without limitation, a mobile telephone, apersonal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile audio player, a GlobalPositioning System (GPS) receiver, a video game console, and/or atelevision set top box.

The term “machine-readable storage medium” or “computer readable medium”as used herein refers to any medium or media that participates inproviding instructions to processor 402 for execution. Such a medium maytake many forms, including, but not limited to, non-volatile media,volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media include, forexample, optical or magnetic disks, such as data storage device 406.Volatile media include dynamic memory, such as memory 404. Transmissionmedia include coaxial cables, copper wire, and fiber optics, includingthe wires that comprise bus 408. Common forms of machine-readable mediainclude, for example, floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetictape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any other opticalmedium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patternsof holes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH EPROM, any other memory chipor cartridge, or any other medium from which a computer can read. Themachine-readable storage medium can be a machine-readable storagedevice, a machine-readable storage substrate, a memory device, acomposition of matter effecting a machine-readable propagated signal, ora combination of one or more of them.

While this specification contains many specifics, these should not beconstrued as limitations on the scope of what may be claimed, but ratheras descriptions of particular implementations of the subject matter.Certain features that are described in this specification in the contextof separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in asingle embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described inthe context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multipleembodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover,although features may be described above as acting in certaincombinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more featuresfrom a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from thecombination, and the claimed combination may be directed to asubcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particularorder, this should not be understood as requiring that such operationsbe performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, orthat all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirableresults. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processingmay be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various systemcomponents in the aspects described above should not be understood asrequiring such separation in all aspects, and it should be understoodthat the described program components and systems can generally beintegrated together in a single software product or packaged intomultiple software products.

The subject matter of this specification has been described in terms ofparticular aspects, but other aspects can be implemented and are withinthe scope of the following claims. For example, the actions recited inthe claims can be performed in a different order and still achievedesirable results. As one example, the processes depicted in theaccompanying figures do not necessarily require the particular ordershown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. In certainimplementations, multitasking and parallel processing may beadvantageous. Other variations are within the scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed:
 1. A computer-implemented method for managing a powermode of a designated electronic device, the method comprising:determining a geographical location of a mobile electronic device;comparing the determined geographical location of the mobile electronicdevice with a stored location of a designated electronic device in apower-off mode; sending a wake-up signal from the mobile electronicdevice to the designated electronic device if the determinedgeographical location of the mobile electronic device is within aproximity threshold of the designated electronic device, wherein thedesignated electronic device is configured to enter a power-on mode uponreceipt of the wake-up signal; periodically updating the geographicallocation of the mobile device; and resetting a state of the mobileelectronic device if a distance between the updated geographicallocation of the mobile device and the stored location of the designatedelectronic device exceeds the proximity threshold.
 2. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising sendinganother wake-up signal from the reset mobile electronic device to thedesignated electronic device if subsequent to entering the reset mode,the reset mobile electronic device is determined to be within theproximity threshold of the designated electronic device.
 3. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the determining whetherthe mobile electronic device is within the proximity threshold is doneby the mobile electronic device.
 4. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 1, wherein the determining whether the reset mobile electronicdevice is within the proximity threshold is done by the mobileelectronic device.
 5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1,further comprising: receiving a user designated geographical location ofthe designated electronic device; and storing the received userdesignated geographical location of the designated electronic device asthe stored location.
 6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1,wherein the wake-up signal is transmitted from a Bluetooth component ofthe mobile electronic device.
 7. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 1, further comprising: setting one or more additional conditionsfor sending the wake-up signal to the designated electronic device,wherein the wake-up signal is sent to the designated electronic deviceif the determined geographical location of the mobile electronic deviceis within a proximity threshold of the designated electronic device andeach of the one or more additional conditions for sending the wake-upsignal is met.
 8. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, whereinone of the one or more additional conditions for sending the wake-upsignal specifies a period of time during which sending the wake-upsignal to the designated electronic device is permitted.
 9. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the geographicallocation of the mobile electronic device is obtained from signalstransmitted from a satellite navigation system component of the mobileelectronic device.
 10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1,wherein the geographical location of the mobile electronic device isobtained from signals transmitted from a WiFi component of the mobileelectronic device.
 11. A system for managing a power mode of adesignated electronic device, the system comprising: one or moreprocessors; and a non-transitory machine-readable medium comprisinginstructions stored therein, which when executed by a processors, causethe processors to perform operations comprising: determining ageographical location of a mobile electronic device; comparing thedetermined geographical location of the mobile electronic device with astored location of a designated electronic device in a power-off mode;and sending a wake-up signal from the mobile electronic device to thedesignated electronic device if the determined geographical location ofthe mobile electronic device is within a proximity threshold of thedesignated electronic device, wherein the designated electronic deviceis configured to enter a power-on mode upon receipt of the wake-upsignal; periodically updating the geographical location of the mobiledevice; and resetting a mode of the mobile electronic device if adistance between the updated geographical location of the mobile deviceand the stored location of the designated electronic device exceeds theproximity threshold, wherein another wake-up signal is sent from themobile electronic device in the reset mode if subsequent to entering thereset mode, the mobile electronic device in the reset mode is determinedto be within the proximity threshold of the designated electronicdevice.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the determining whether themobile electronic device is within the proximity threshold is done bythe mobile electronic device.
 13. The system of claim 11, wherein thedetermining whether the mobile electronic device in the reset mode iswithin the proximity threshold is done by the mobile electronic devicein the reset mode.
 14. The system of claim 11, wherein thenon-transitory machine-readable medium further comprises instructionsstored therein, which when executed by the processors, cause theprocessors to perform operations comprising: determining a geographicallocation of the designated electronic device; and storing the determinedgeographical location of the designated electronic device as the storedlocation, wherein the determined geographical location of the designatedelectronic device is stored locally on the mobile electronic device. 15.The system of claim 11, wherein the non-transitory machine-readablemedium further comprises instructions stored therein, which whenexecuted by the processors, cause the processors to perform operationscomprising: receiving a user designated geographical location of thedesignated electronic device; and storing the received user designatedgeographical location of the designated electronic device as the storedlocation.
 16. The system of claim 11, wherein the non-transitorymachine-readable medium further comprises instructions stored therein,which when executed by the processors, cause the processors to performoperations comprising: setting one or more additional conditions forsending the wake-up signal to the designated electronic device, whereinthe wake-up signal is sent to the designated electronic device if thedetermined geographical location of the mobile electronic device iswithin a proximity threshold of the designated electronic device andeach of the one or more additional conditions for sending the wake-upsignal is met.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein one of the one ormore additional conditions for sending the wake-up signal specifies aperiod of time during which sending the wake-up signal to the designatedelectronic device is permitted.
 18. A non-transitory machine-readablemedium comprising instructions stored therein, which when executed by asystem, cause the system to perform operations comprising: determining ageographical location of a mobile electronic device; comparing thedetermined geographical location of the mobile electronic device with astored location of a designated electronic device in a power-off mode;and sending a wake-up signal from the mobile electronic device to thedesignated electronic device if the determined geographical location ofthe mobile electronic device is within a proximity threshold of thedesignated electronic device, wherein the designated electronic deviceis configured to enter a power-on mode upon receipt of the wake-upsignal, wherein the determining whether the mobile electronic device iswithin the proximity threshold is done by the mobile electronic device;periodically updating the geographical location of the mobile device;and resetting a mode of the mobile electronic device if a distancebetween the updated geographical location of the mobile electronicdevice and the stored location of the designated electronic deviceexceeds the proximity threshold.
 19. The non-transitory machine-readablemedium of 18, further comprising instructions stored therein, which whenexecuted by a system, cause the system to perform operations comprising:sending another wake-up signal from the reset mobile electronic deviceto the designated electronic device if subsequent to entering the resetmode, the reset mobile electronic device is determined to be within theproximity threshold of the designated electronic device, wherein thedetermining whether the mobile electronic device in the reset mode iswithin the proximity threshold is done by the mobile electronic devicein the reset mode.
 20. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of 18,further comprising instructions stored therein, which when executed by asystem, cause the system to perform operations comprising: setting oneor more additional conditions for sending the wake-up signal to thedesignated electronic device, wherein the wake-up signal is sent to thedesignated electronic device if the determined geographical location ofthe mobile electronic device is within a proximity threshold of thedesignated electronic device and each of the one or more additionalconditions for sending the wake-up signal is met.